Merton's Strain Theory Analysis

Strain theory is a `more prominent issue in today’s world than many seem to think. Strain theory is the answer to several of life’s greatest questions, including, “Why do people riot?” and “Why are people pressured to live a life of crime?” The answer to that is strain theory: certain individuals fall into the pressure that the rest of society puts on everyone, that in order to be worth something and respected, they must be of a certain status. In order to be deemed worthy of others, everyone must have certain necessary things, such as a house of a certain stature, and an income of a certain amount.

By applying both classical and strain theory to the crime problem of drug trafficking we can identify and compare their strengths to evaluate which theory is more useful in explaining this crime. Starting with Classical theory, this theory holds some strengths in relation to this crime problem, namely, it’s easy applicability/transferability and the clear definiteness of their answers. Classical theory is able to provide definite answers and solutions to drug trafficking (i.e. it was individual A who committed the crime, the law violated in response to this crime is this, and the violation of this law carries the pre-determined punishment of this) without having to apply consideration for such variables as mitigating circumstances since the

Everyone in the world has a theory about why something happens or how it happens, but in sociology there are many different types of theories that often contradict each other. Theory is defined as “a statement of how and why specific facts are related” (Macionis, 2013). Most theories explain why people act in certain ways and explains why a person in a group may act different than someone that is alone. When building sociological theories most sociologist ask their selves two different questions: “What issues should we study?” and “How should we connect the facts?” (Macionis, 2013). By answering these questions the sociologist is led to a road map, or a theoretical approach. Theoretical approach is described as “a basic image of society that

In the story, it is clear that the Strain sociological theory clearly presents itself. This theory argues that depending on person’s situation in the society, one reacts differently to the difficulties that face them in the achievement of their objectives. The theory categorizes people in the society to tow broad categories. These are the poor and the rich, with the poor being the ones who strain the most in an attempt to accomplish their

In this blog I will be explaining the principal sociological perspectives (Marxism, Interactionism, Functionalism and collectivism). The open view in sociology can cause debates, disclosure and sometimes even controversy as we will see in the blog.

To achieve the American Dream, one must work hard and have the dedication to be successful. There are myths relating to this dream leaving lower class members to wonder if the dream exists for them. People in lower class are told if they want to be successful they must put in hard work and true effort. Once they do, they see that they are remaining in the same position they started in. In “Class of America-2012,” Gregory Mantsios states the ideas of class in the US and explains them. One myth addressed in this selection is, “Everyone has an equal chance to succeed. Success in the United States requires no more than hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance: ‘In America, anyone can become a billionaire; it’s just a matter of being in the right

Rebellion is the denunciation of both conventional and cultural goals, but aims to replace both foundations with new goals and means of obtaining these.

Exploring the role of negative emotions among murderers in a population of federal offenders: the General Strain Theory

Robert Merton, argues that society was structured in a manner that encouraged deviance (Haines, White and Asquith, 2012). He proposes that socially accepted goals, for example, ‘The American Dream’, put pressure on the individual to conform and force the individual to work within the structured rules of society, or instead become part of a deviant subculture to attain these goals (Haines, White and Asquith, 2012). Merton named this Strain Theory. He suggested the genuine means of acquiring wealth was unfairly accessible throughout the class structure (Haines, White and Asquith, 2012). Strain Theory argues that some individuals have experienced ‘blocked opportunities’, and therefore are unable to attain their objectives through regular or genuine means (Haines, White and Asquith, 2012).

In Merton’s (1938) strain theory social structures account for the criminal tendencies found in offenders. Individuals adjust to societal pressures in five distinct ways. Adaptation I, which entails conforming to both culture norms and means, is the most common. The popularity of this adaptation allows a society to function effectively. In contrast, adaptation IV is the least common and gives rise to the rejection of both cultural goals and means. Those that adopt this culture pattern are societal misfits and usually include some such persons as psychotics, psychoneurotics, chronic autists, vagrants, and chronic drunkards or drug addicts.

A sociological perspective on human behavior is connected to the society as a whole. It invites us to look for the connections between the behavior of individuals and the structures of the society in which they live. (Appendix 1)

The theoretical works of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber still influence sociological theory. Though their works are decades old they still are a major part of what sociology is today. Though their theories can seem very different, there are some similarities. To become a great sociologist one most learn and understands how to use all sociological perspectives. To do this one must understand and use the different theoretical perspectives created by Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.

Many sociological theorists who were relevant over a century ago are also still applicable to today’s society. Whilst parts of the theory and the context of the theories may have quite dated, some parts do still reign true. Some theories however, like Marx’s ideas of a capitalist society, have become more influential in today’s economic climate. Perspectives like Durkheim’s theories of suicide, Marx’s theories on Capitalism and changes to economic status, Weber’s input on Capitalism and his influential work on Religion. The ideas this essay will be focusing upon are the ‘iconic’ theories, that the previously mentioned sociologists are known for and showing how these theories have progressed through the time.

Often Agnew distinguishes between state anger and trait anger, with the former being the focus of his theory. Noxious events avoidance impacts the ability to maintain or come up with relationships, resulting in alternative reactions. An adverse environment perception will result in emotions that are strongly negative that motivate a person to engage in crime. Being involved in crime is sporadic according to Agnew, and the criminals would desist were it not for the persistent negative effect and events.

To complement his theory, Merton established five modes of adaptation of how an individual responds to the schism between societal goals and means. The constructed ‘American Dream’ ideal links with strain and the issue of inequality, as it can lead individuals to attain the culturally accepted goals through illegitimate means that violate social norms (Cuzzort, 1969). The first reaction is Conformity, where the individual subscribes to the goal and the conventional means of society, and therefore does not generate anomie (Morine, 2009). The second is Ritualism, where the goals are not accepted as they do not believe they can reach them, but the means are abided. The failure of ritualists to conform fully to the ideal of success translated though money means this could trigger anomie (Morine, 2009). Thirdly, Innovation involves the goals being accepted but the methods to attain them are rejected. This reaction would most likely involve illegitimate methods to reach the goals. Retreatism is the fourth, where the refusal of both societal goals and means occur, however this is not regarded as anomie as they do not illicit contradictory norms. Lastly, Rebellion furthers Retreatism by substituting new goals and institutional means to create a more